Collapsible creel



March 15, 1932, G, B LD 1,849,545

COLLAPS IBLE CREEL Fil-d June 11, 1950 INVENTOR. Jacob G Leibo/d B AIM/ I a ATTORNEY ,UNITED STATES Patented Mar. 15, 1932 PATENT OFFICE,

JACOB G.'LEIBOLD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA ootLAPsIBLE CREEL Application filed June 11,

The present invention relates to improve ments in collapsible creels and more particularly to those constituted of a plurality of pockets convertible into compartments adaptable to the carriage of diverse devices employed by persons following fishing as a diversion. V s A p The primary object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible creel constituted of a plurality of pockets, or separate and distinct receptacles,adapted for the reception and carriageof not alone'fish, but also of such segregated articles and devices as are ordinarily carried by fishermen and used by'them' in the prosecution'of their piscatorial pleasures.

An additional object is to provide a multipocketed collapsible creel constituted of nonpermeable to water material arranged for the convenience of fly casters and such like fishermen for pleasure.

The creel comprises a main pocket,or compartment,radapted to be collapsed when not in use, and carrying interiorly, by means of snaps, a second pocket of rubberized or rubber-lined material adapted to be removably attached interiorly thereto, there being also provided for and carried by this pocket a spreader adapted to be positioned in such manner, when desired, as to hold open said pocket and its interiorly borne rubber-lined pocket, and at other times to occupy a prone position permitting the collapse of these two elements. The main flap is an extension of the back section of the main pocket and is provided with an opening covered by a smaller flap, snap-secured in covering position, the lifting of which permits the introduction of fish into the rubber-lined pocket. The main flap is further provided with fastening means for securing this flap in closed relation with both the main and auxiliary pockets. Frontally of the main pocket there is secured an auxiliary collapsible pocket adapted to be used for the carriage of miscellaneous articles, this pocket being provided, also, with an individual flap for its closure. Attached to the front of this auxiliary pocket, or coms partment, are three other pockets, the central of which is provided interiorly, front 1930. SerialNo. 460,368.

and rear surfaces with a lining of sheep-skin adapted for the carriage of artificial flies, the two surfaces being separated by a leaf for the prevention of entanglement of flie'scarried respectively by the opposed surfaces.

The front of this fly-pocket is secured along its vertical edges by zippers, and along its lower edge by stitching securing it centrally to the front edge of the creel, the upper edge being left in free, or open, relation with the front of the auxiliary compartment. Flanking this fly-pocket, and secured at the sides and bottoms to the auxiliary pocket by means of rows of stitching, are two pockets with open upper mouths adapted to serve as extra receptacles for hooks, lines, and other such paraphernalia. The front of these two pockets is provided with buckles for the accommodation of straps carried by the auxiliary pockets flap and adapted to hold these ele ments in closedrelation, a buckle being carried centrally by the bottom of the creel for the accommodation of a fastening strap car.- ried by the main flap. Additionally, there are provided rings carried by the. opposite upper edges of the continuous union strip uniting the front and rear sections of the main pocket, this strip being adapted for collapsing bellow-wise, when the creel is not in use, and carries in its sides ventilating openings. The front section of .the auxiliary pocket is united to the front section of the main pocket, which constitutes, also, the rear section of the auxiliary pocket, by means of a like strip adapted likewise for collapsing bellowwise when not in use, both these strips being secured to the edges of their respective sectionsrby means of rows of stitching. .There is further provided a neck-strap whose ends carry snap-hooks adaptable for being snapped onto the rings previously mentioned for support of the creelabout the neck of the angler, as well as a strap serving as a part-girdle for its waist support.

In the accompanying one sheet of'drawings, forming a part of this specification, and, inwhich. similar characters of reference designate like parts, throughout:

'Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of creel, showing the main and auxiliar pockets with their flaps lifted to expose their interior arrangements, the uniting bellow-like collapsing strips for the sides and bottoms of each, the arrangement of the frontally borne pockets, the flap-securing means, the zipper means borne by the flypocket, and the means for securing the creel to the body of the, angler v Figure 2 is a modification of the creel shown in Figure 1, but of simpler construction, certain compartments having been eliminated to provide a lighter and cheaper creel;

Figure 3 is a mutilated perspective view, an end having been removed to permit of a view of the spreader in position for retaining the main pocket and its contained rubber fish-containing pocket in open position; and

Figure f is a perspective view of the rectangular wire spreader, operating to keep the mouths of the main pocket and its detachable and interiorly arranged fish receptacle in open mouthed relation to each other, and showing, additionally, the fabric strip 38 whereby the one side of this spreader is hingedly' secured, by rows of stitching, with the upper inner surfaceof the rear section of the main pocket 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 4 indicates a perspective view of the preferred form of the invention, wherein 6 represents the rear section of the main pocket 5, together with its extension 7, representing the main flap over-all having therein a fish-slot 8 provided with a coveringflap 9. The main pocket 5 is constituted of the rear section 6 and a front section 6, these two:- sections being united by a continuous strip 29 creased for folding bellow-like, as indicated at 29', with its end: sections bearing ventilating eyelets 30, the respective edges of this strip being secured to the rear and front sections by means of rows of stitching, this strip constituting the ends and bottom of said main pocket. An adjustable wire sepa rator, or spreader, 13, of rectangular form and of a size to fit the mouth of this pocket, when exten ded,.is provided and is held in retained relation with the rear upper edge of this pocketby means of a strip of fabric 38 stitched to the front surface of the rear sec- .tion 6 near its top by'spacedrows of stitching. not showmafi'ordin g therebetween space for the accommodation and support of one of the sides of the rectangularly shaped spreader 13. Interiorly of the main' pocket 5 there is fitted a detachable rubber-lined pocket 13' bearing about its-upper edges snaps 15 adapt ed, when snapped-in, to hold the detachable pocket 13 in. retained relation, with the interior of the main pocket 5, this arrangement permitting the detachment and removal of the rubber-lined pocket 13 for the purpose of cleansing, when required. When. it is desired, to retain the main pocket 5 and its detacliablerubber-lined; pocket 13 in extended relation, it is only necessary to unsnap the frontal fastening members 15 and raise the free side of the rectangular frame 13 to ahorizontal position just above the snaps 15 and resnap these fasteners, bringing the two edges of the pockets 5 and 13' again into normal relation. When it is desired to collapse this pocket, it only necessary to unfasten these two edges, drop the rectangular spreader into prone position and again fasten the free edges of the two pockets by means of these snaps. An auXiliar pocket, or compartment, 16 is attached to the front of the main pocket 5 and provides an additional receptacle for miscellaneous articles and is secured to the frontal section of the main pocket 5 by a uniting strip 28 of lesswidth than that of the strip 29, but likewise of collapsible character. To the outer surface of the front of the pocket 16, there is secured centrally a third minor pocket comprising a sn elled hook space 17, a sheepskin lined space 21-22 for flies separated by a leaf 23 he sides of thisminor pocket being secured in place by means of zippers 24, the bottom being secured to the bottom of the auXiliar pocket by rows of stitching. Extra minor pockets 20 and 20-, of collapsible character, as indicated at 27 and 27, are provided additional receptacles to add to the anglers convenience. The fronts of these pockets are provided with buckles 37 for the accommo dation of straps 12 and 12 stitched, or riveted, to the frontal walls of these pockets and serve as means for securing in place over the mouth of the auxiliar pocket 16 and the mouths of the minor pockets 20 and 20, the auxiliar flap 14. these being additionally covered and secured in place by the strap 11 carried by the main flap 7 which acts as a cover .ll for these pockets and the main pocket 5, as well. this strap being received and held by the buckle 26.

For the support and carriage of'the creel by the angler, there is provided a shoulder strap 10 and a back, or girdling, strap 31, these being provided at their extremities with snap-hooks 35 adapted for engagement with rings 34 secured to opposite sides of the creel near its top edge by means of straps 33 riveted or otherwise secured thereto, these straps being further provided with adjusting buckles 36 and 32.

The creel is constructed of waterproof yarn-dyed canvas, and combines a plurality of'necessary units so arranged as to add immeasurably to the efficiency, convenience and comfort of the angler. For the catch, a detachable rubber-lined receptacle is provided that, is readily detachable and removable for cleansing.

For additional supplies, extra compartments are provided affording ample room for leaders, lines and special equipment. The device as constructed, conveniently replaces the ordinary bulky creel and the many bulky pockets carried by the usual I anglers coat. The zipper pockets for flieshave two sides lined with sheep-skin, between which there I is inserted a fabric leaf insuring against injury and supplying space for com comfortably worn, fits snugly against the side and is secured in place by strapsover.

the shoulder and about the waist. When in use it stands rigid,and when not in use it is readily collapsible and lies fiat against the body. e

Having thus described my invention, I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States the following:

1. In an anglers creel, a collapsible member comprising a main pocket having as. an integral part thereof aflap-covering'therefor provided with a fish-slot, and a flap cover for. said fish slot. I, a

,2. In an anglers creel, a collapsible member comprising a main pocket having a flapcovering therefor provided with a fish-slot covered by a flap, a detachable rubber-lined fish-pocket, and snap-fastening means borne interiorly by the upper edges of said main pocket and the upper edges of said fishpocket for holding the latter in suspended relation with the former.

3. In an anglers creel, a collapsible pocket comprising a back section provided with an extension therefrom forming a flap with a fish-slot therein and a flap-covering therefor, a frontsection having an extension'forming a flap therefor, and a bellow-strip bearing ventilating openings in its near extremities, said strip being so united by stitching to said rear and front sect-ions as to serve as collapsible ends and bottom of said main pocket. 1

4:. In an anglers creel, a collapsible main pocket comprising aback section provided with an extension therefrom forming a flap having a fish-slot therein and covering means therefor, a front section bearing an extension forming a flap, a bellow-strip bearing ventilating openings, said strip being secured to the edges of said rear and front sections to form collapsible ends and bottom for said main pocket, and a rectangular-shaped Wirespreader having a longer side hingedly secured to a surface of the near upper edge of said rear section. of said main pocket, said wire spreader being adapted, when raised and lowered, to open and close the mouths of said main and said fish-pockets.

5. The combination, with a collapsible main pocket constituted of a flexible fabric and bearing as an integral part thereof a main flap having a flap-covered fish-slot, of

an auxiliar pocket formed frontally of the main pocket by uniting the side and bottom edges of said main pocket to a continuous bellow-strip of like material to'constitute the collapsible sides and bottom of said auxiliar pocket and similarly uniting the corresponding opposite edges of said bellow-strip to a front section of flexiblematerial bearing an extension fashioned to serve as a flap-covering for said pocket, and means for securing said covering in place. i

6. The combination witha collapsible main pocket bearing as an integral part thereof a inain'flap having a flap-covered fish-slot, of an auxiliar pocket formed frontally of said main pocket by uniting the side andbottom edges of saidmain pocket .to a continuous bellow-strip to constitute the collapsible sides and bottom of said auxiliar pocket and similarly uniting the corresponding opposite edges of said bellow-strip to a front section of flexible material bearing an extension fash ioned .to serve as a fiap-covering for said pocket, means for securing said covering in place, a. special pocket vfrontally'borne by said auxiliar pocket and divided into a rear compartment for carrying snelled hooks, and a second sheep-skin lined compartment adjacent thereto and divided by a leaf-like partitioning means for its separation into separate fly-bearing sections, said last named pocket being secured at its bottom to the frontal edge of said'auxiliar pocket by rows ofstitching and at its side edges by zipper fastenings, the upper edges being open and constituting mouths therefor.

7. The combination with a collapsible main pocket bearing as an integral part thereof a main flap having a flap-covered fish-slot of an auxiliar pocket formed frontally of the main pocket by uniting the side and bottom edges ofsaid main pocket to a continuous bellow-strip to constitute the collapsiblesides and bottom of said auxiliar pocket and similarly uniting the corresponding opposite edges of said bellow-strip to a front section of flexible material bearingan extension fash ioned to'serve as a flap-covering for said pocket, means for securing said covering in place, aspe'oial pocket frontallyborne by said auxiliar pocket andjdivided into a rear compartment for carrying snelled books, a second sheep-skin lined compartment adjacent thereto and divided by a leaf-like partitioning. means for its separation-into separate flybearing sections, said'last named pocket being secured at its bottom to'the frontal edge of said auxiliar pocket by rows of stitching and at its sideedges by Zipper fastenings, the upper edges being open and constituting mouths therefor, pockets flanking said special subdivided pocket and attached by bellowstrips to the frontsurface of said auxiliar pocket andadapted to be covered, initially, by the flap of saidauxiliar pocket and additionally by the saidmain flap, and meansfor securing both main andauxilia'r flaps in closed relation with each other and with all of said pockets.

8. The combination with a collapsible main pocket hearing as an integral partt-hereof a main flap having a flap-covered fish-slot, of an auxiliar pocket formed frontally of the main pocket by uniting the side and bottom edges-of said main pocket to a continuous bellow-strip to constitute the collapsible sides and bottom of said auxiliar pocket and similarly uniting the corresponding opposite edges of said bellow-strip to afront section of flexible material bearing an extension fashioned to serve as a flap-covering for said pocket, means for securing said covering in place, a special pocket frontally borne by said auXiliar pocket and divided into a rear compartment for carrying'snelled' hooks, a second sheep-skin lined compartment adjacent thereto and divided by a leaf-like partitioningmean's for its separation into separate flybearing sections, said last named pocket being secured at its bottom to the frontal edge of said auxiliar pocket by rows of stitching and at its side edges by zipper fastenings, the upper edges being open and constituting mouthstlierefor, pockets flanking said special sub-divided pocket and attached by bellow-stripsto the front surface of said auxiliar pocket and adapted to be covered, initially, by theflap of said auxiliar pocket and additionally by the said main flap, means for secu ing both main and auxiliar flaps in closed relation with each other and with all of said pockets, and adjustable means for securing said creel about the body of an angler.

9. The combination, in an anglers creel, of a main pocket having suspended interiorly a detachable waterproof fish-pocket with means for extending the mouths of said main and said fish pocket in open position, an attached auxiliar pocket, said main and attached pockets being each provided with flaps for covering their respective open mouths, the main flap being additionally provided with a flap-covered fish-slot, minor pockets carried frontally by said auxiliar pocket, the central of said minor pockets being divided into compartments for carrying supplies of flies and snelled hooks, the sides of said central pocket being secured by zippers permitting its front tobe hingedly dropped to expose its interior, and means for supporting said creel about the body of an angler, said means comprising adjustable shoulder and waist straps bearing upon their respective extremities snap-catches adapted for engagement with rings permanently secured to opposite sides of said main pocket near its upper opposite edges.

10. In an anglers creel of the character described, a main pocket and anauxiliar pocket having therebetween a partitioning means, each 0t said pockets being provided with a bottom and sides adapted to be collapsed bellow-wise, thev sides of said main pocket being provided with ventilating eyelets, and bearing detachably secured there- Within a waterproof receptacle for receiving afish-catch.

11. In an anglers creel of the character described, a compartment, constituting a main pocket, comprising a back: and a front section having as a bottom and sides a uniting strip adaptable to be collapsed bellowwise and bearing in those sections constituting its ends ventilating eyelets, a flap borne by said rear section provided with a flapcovered fish-slot with means for securing the flap borne by said rear section in closed rela tion relative to said compartment, and means for supporting said compartment upon the person of an angler.

12. In an anglers creel of the character described, a compartment, constituting a main pocket, comprising a backand afront section having as a bottom-and sides auniting strip adapted to be collapsed bellow-wise and bearing in those sections constituting its ends ventilating openings, a flap borne by said rear section provided with a flap-covered fish-slot with means for securing the flap borne by said rear section in closed relation relative to said compartment, means for supporting said compartment upon the person of an angler, a catch retaining waterproof receptacle detachably' borne by said compartinent, and mouth distending means for both said compartment and said waterproof receptacle.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JACOB G. LEIBOLD. 

